The Seattle Kraken have, if nothing else, wing depth. Jared McCann, Jaden Schwartz, and Mason Marchment on left wing and Kaapo Kakko, Jordan Eberle, and Eeli Tolvanen standing opposite. All of those players belong in an NHL top-nine. In a vacuum, that is tough group to disrupt. Even for 2024 eighth-overall pick Berkly Catton.
Seattle must be realistic about its team, which has a high floor but low ceiling, and appears destined for somewhere between 78-84 points and no playoff spot. That is NHL No Man’s Land. Seattle have an opportunity to give a chance to some youth without throwing them to the wolves of a full rebuild. For that reason, Catton will get a look in training camp.
I also wonder about Jani Nyman. The Finnish winger is coming off of a 28-goal AHL season and collected six points in his 12-game NHL cameo. The 21-year-old is heavy and makes himself open around the net. He’s too young, and has too much upside, to waste him in a fourth line role so it’s likely top-nine or AHL for him this season. Would new head coach Lane Lambert have the audacity to drop a veteran to make room?
